Tennessee topples #1 Kansas

The loss of four key players helped Tennessee come together as a team. Now No. 1 Kansas is looking to do the same.

Scotty Hopson had 17 points and No. 16 Tennessee, with a lineup thinned by suspensions, dismissals and injuries, handed visiting Kansas its first loss of the season, 76-68 on Sunday.

"It's pretty amazing what chemistry can do when guys put their minds to something and know their backs are up against the wall and they rally, and they don't quit and they believe in themselves," Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said.

Kansas' Brady Morningstar hit a three-pointer with 1:14 left to cut Tennessee's lead to 71-68. Skylar McBee, one of three walk-ons who got playing time for Tennessee, answered with his own three as the shot clock expired.

Sherron Collins, who bailed the Jayhawks (14-1) out of a near-loss to Cornell on Wednesday with 33 points, missed three shots before time expired. He had 22 points.

It was the Vols' first game after Pearl dismissed Tyler Smith on Friday, a week after the senior was arrested on misdemeanor gun and drug charges.

#9 North Carolina 78, Virginia Tech 64:

Ed Davis had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, and the host Tar Heels (12-4, 1-0 ACC) overcame a big game from Malcolm Delaney, who returned from an ankle injury to score 20 of his 26 points in the first half, and almost single-handedly willed the Hokies (12-2, 0-1) to victory.